hatóhet

Hátohet is a neologism used in information theory and media studies to describe the potential of a claim, artifact, or dataset to be tested, verified, or falsified across different contexts. The term is a constructed word drawing on Hungarian morphology, combining the root háto- with the suffix -het to express possibility or capability. In practice, hátohet measures how readily an item can be subjected to independent scrutiny.

Definition and scope: A high hátohet indicates that data or claims are accompanied by transparent methods, accessible materials, and opportunities for replication or independent verification. It emphasizes transparency, accessibility, and accountability rather than truth value alone.

Dimensions: Testability (how easily results can be replicated), Transparency (availability of data, code, and protocols), and Verifiability (presence of independent checks). Some researchers add auditability (traceable provenance) and interoperability (compatibility with other datasets).

Applications: Used to assess credibility in journalism, science communication, policy discourse, and online platforms. It supports design choices that promote open data, reproducible analyses, and clear provenance.

Limitations: Hátohet is a normative construct and depends on context; it does not resolve the truth of a claim by itself and may be affected by reporting practices, censorship, or data withholding.

See also: transparency, reproducibility, verifiability, testability, open data.